The U16 Silverbacks registered their highest ever finish at the 2025 U16 Afrobasket in Kigali.

After falling 53-50 to Cameroon in the quarter-finals, the boys had an opportunity to go out with a bang.

In the classification game, they defeated Tunisia 66-55 and this meant that they finished as number 5.

This is the highest ever finish by the boys youth teams, both U16 and U18 at the continental stage.

Journey at the Tournament

The team won the qualifiers that took place in Kibaha, Tanzania and there was a lot of optimism in them.

Ahead of the tournament in Rwanda, they had a one week camp in Uganda before heading to Kigali were they camped for a week.

The opening game was against Cameroon and despite fighting, the team fell short 50-57.

Joshua Bwakanda and Pierre Laurent Rwuhiriro both registered a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds each.

In the second game, the team once again couldn’t get the job done as they lost 51-44 to Tunisia.

The game was characterized by a lot of missed opportunities the most annoying one being only 9 of 29 free throws made.

However, there was a positive in this game. Shane Kwizera!

He registered a double double 13 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists.

Coming into the final game, the Silverbacks had to win and by a significant margin in order to increase their chances of making the quarter-finals.

At the halftime break, Guinea led the game 29-25 but they weren’t prepared for what would happen in the second half.

Uganda turned up on defense and offense. They outscored Guinea 48-24 in the second half.

They made 8 3-point shots in the second half and this was a key for them in their 17-0 run.

Uganda managed to win the game 73-53 and this was enough for them to advance to the quarter-finals.

Shammah Kwizera registered 14 assists and 10 rebounds in this game.

Lucas Ssenyonjo (13), Shane Kwizera (14) also contributed significantly while Pierre Laurent Rwuhiriro registered a double double 13 points and 19 rebounds.

A rematch against Cameroon in the quarter finals was set but ce again, the boys fought but fell short 53-50 in the quarter-finals.

Once again Shane came up huge with 19 points, 7 rebounds,  3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks.

In the 5-6 classification game, Uganda once again met Tunisia.

This time around, the U16 Silverbacks managed to get revenge, winning the game 66-55.

Evan Shyaka dropped a game-high 24 points including 5 3-point shots made.

Shane Kwizera came up with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.

What does this mean

In 2024, the U18 Gazelles reached the semifinals at the Afrobasket in South Africa.

The boys did not win any single game in that campaign.

With success at this tournament, the U18 Silverbacks team in 2026 is expected to be solid.

U16 Boys History

• 2021 Finished 6th
• 2023 Finished 10th
• 2025 Finished 5th